What is a Georgia License Plate?
The Georgia Department of Revenue, through its Motor Vehicle Division, issues all registration license plates and sets registration policy in accordance with O.C.G.A. Title 40, Chapter 2. County tag offices handle the actual registration, renewal, and issuance of license plates.
Vehicle owners in Georgia can choose from one of three standard designs: the Peach Plate, the Peach Orchard Plate, and the USA Semiquincentennial/America 250 plate, launched in January 2026. All standard license plates have an annual registration fee of $20.
Types of License Plates in Georgia
- Standard license plates are assigned during registration in one of the three current designs. Replacement plates or stickers cost $8.
- Georgia offers hundreds of specialty license plates for universities, causes, and organizations. Most have a one-time manufacturing fee of $25 plus an annual special tag fee of $35 in addition to the $20 registration fee.
- Prestige (personalized) plates display a custom alphanumeric combination on the Peach Plate background, for $35 manufacturing and $35 annually in addition to the base $20 tag fee.
- Military plates cover veterans, disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs, and Pearl Harbor survivors, among others. One plate per eligible veteran is issued free of all fees under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-85.1. Disabled veterans receive up to two free plates (O.C.G.A. §§ 40-2-69, 40-2-70).
- Owners of qualifying vehicles up to 1989 can register with an authentic historical plate from the vehicle’s model year.
The full catalog can be searched using the Georgia MVD plate design tool.
What Vehicles Require License Plates in Georgia?
Every motor vehicle operated on Georgia roads must be registered in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 40-2-20. New residents have 30 days to register after establishing residency (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-8(a)). Buyers from dealers receive a temporary operating permit for 45 days.
- Passenger cars and light pickups have one rear plate with an annual registration fee of $20 (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-151(a)(1)). New vehicles purchased with title ad valorem tax payment may opt for a two-year registration for $40.
- Motorcycles also cost $20 annually. One rear plate.
- Private trailers cost $20 annually; boat and utility trailers pay $12. There is a one-time permanent registration option for $48 for qualifying trailers (§ 40-2-151(b)).
- Private commercial trucks up to 18,001 pounds start at $25 and scale through eight weight classes to $400 for maximum allowable weight vehicles.
- Alternative fuel vehicles pay an additional $200 annually for non-commercial use or $300 for commercial use, in addition to the standard registration fee (§ 40-2-151(a)(19)).
License Plate Rules in Georgia
- One rear plate is mandatory on all registered vehicles. The plate must be fastened so it does not swing and remains clearly visible at all times (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-41). Tractors used as mobile power units display a front plate instead.
- No material may cover the plate unless it is colorless and transparent. No device may obstruct or interfere with the display or readability of the plate. Intentional concealment of plate information to obstruct surveillance equipment is a separate offense under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-6.1.
Is Driving Around with No License Plate in Georgia Illegal?
Yes. Operating a vehicle without a valid, properly displayed license plate is an offense under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-8(b). Buyers with a valid temporary operating permit or pending registration are exempt during the allowed period.
Attaching a plate issued for another vehicle or intentionally damaging or concealing plate markings is a separate offense under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-6, carrying a fine of at least $750 or imprisonment for up to 12 months.
What is the Penalty for Driving Without a License Plate in Georgia?
Penalties under Title 40, Chapter 2 quickly escalate from minor fines to offenses with a real risk of imprisonment.
- Operating without a valid plate is a misdemeanor under § 40-2-8(b). Misdemeanors in Georgia carry up to 12 months imprisonment and a $1,000 fine under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-3.
- Lack of a county decal carries a lighter penalty: $25 for the first offense, $100 for the second or subsequent offense (§ 40-2-8(c)).
- Fake or transferred plate: Intentional operation with a plate issued for another vehicle or damaging plate markings carries a fine of at least $750 or imprisonment for up to 12 months under § 40-2-6.
- Intentional concealment of plate information to obstruct surveillance equipment has the same lower bound: at least $750 or imprisonment for up to 12 months (§ 40-2-6.1).
- Late registration penalties are handled separately under the DOR fee schedule, which imposes 10% of the due title ad valorem tax plus 25% of the tag fees for late renewal.